On Sat., Dec. 26, more than 30 Colts alumni, coaches and players turned out for an early morning contest in the annual Mesquite Colts Alumni Game. The 90-minute game was not only great entertainment, but it brought together a talented group of players that proved the love of hockey and comraderie of teamates goes on long after high school is past. The game was a fun time for the players and fans alike.
The Alumni team, headed by former Colts Head Coach Marty Winn and 18 alumni, beat the Young Guns (current players) by a score of 11 to 10. Former Colts Standout Tim Kelly, whose gear was on base where he is trying out for the All-Marine Team, coached the alumni from the bench. Coach Dennis Hall joined the Young Guns on the ice, scoring two of the ten goals with his "crash the net" technique.
With so much talent on the ice and so many goals to recount, it's hard to play by play anything from this game. However, one beautiful goal by former captain Mike Thompson stands out in my mind: a hard shot whipped from near the blue line that dinked the top corner of the net before swirling the puck into the net just beyond reach of the goalie.
Three great goalies were on the ice, rotating their loyalties between nets: Gerame Green, Paul Hinojo and John Wayne Seitzler represented the "past," "present," and "future" of the Colts, which has always been anchored by great goal-tending.
Current Colts Ethan Fox and Tanner Holubar each had two goals in the game, as did Coach Hall. Dylan Nessman played strong both offense and defense, racking up some points on assists (maybe goals too!) Former Colt Tony Douglas, who as a senior played for the Young Guns team, got another two (at least?), and all the current players had outstanding shifts. Matthew Jenkin burned up the ice on his shifts, drumming up several scoring chances while being denied by great goal-tending. Coby Benson was open to receive great passes and move the puck down ice on each shift, and Michael Bohling continued to shine as an aggressive new player for the current Colts team. Of course Cody Richardson never stopped coming, even surviving a few playful trips by Coach Winn. Alex Novosel played a great defensive game and is another awesome new addition to the current team.
It's always fun to see the current players go up against alums. Despite having "no checking" in the "rules" for the game, these guys are too tight anyway. There is no way a current Colt is going to nail Justin Richardson, Nick Crowder, or Parker Williams, all playing for the alums for the first time, and on Saturday, the young guns couldn't have caught them if they'd tried. Crowder had some great shots and was a definite asset to the alumni team. Williams and his dad Bob Williams both displayed the speed and skill that made Parker an awesome asset to the 08/09 team, and it was great to see Justin Richardson in top form. For the Young Guns, Adrian Hall was aggressive in his play and fast on the ice, and brother Brian also helped set up a number of Colts goals and offensive runs, some with their dad on the same line.
Geoffrey Sierra, Nick Gross and Tony Douglas, all former Colts players, helped the current team with depth we wish we always had, and all three were in on scoring. Sierra had at least one goal, if not two, against the alumni, and Nick Gross had one stand-out defensive break-away that got the crowd going as he sped toward the net, but was denied the goal we all thought was coming.
For the Old Guys, Josh Fox, Nate Jenkins, Eric and Kyle Fischer, Andrew Carrillo, James Herbert, Jake Stanley, Cameron McElroy, and Brandon Perez all had great games, dominating the current players on their shifts with aggressiveness if not precision passing. (You have to give it up to the alums who played great the entire game.)
Most of all, for everyone on the ice and in the stands, the alumni game is a whole lot of fun. Seeing all the Colts jerseys on the alumni players and realizing that the club has a strong history of team work and friendship makes us all proud to be part of such a great group of people.
Happy New Year to all Colts players and fans! We'll see you at the rink!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Colts Finesse to the Finish: Hanson Stays Hot!
The Colts gave their fans another nail biter on Sunday, winning in overtime against Arlington Martin, 4-3 at the Plano Dr Pepper Star Center. Junior Cody Hanson, #9, (photo, left) continued his hot streak, scoring the tying goal with just 28 seconds left in the third to take the team into OT.There was no shortage of excitement from the opening puck drop, in a cleanly played game with lots of pucks flying at the net. Both goalies had great games, as the Colts pummeled Arlington goalie Ben Smedema with 45 shots on goal, and Arlington hit Colts goalie Paul Hinojo with 35.
Only Colts captain Ethan Fox was able to get past Smedema early, which he did twice, once while shorthanded and unassisted. His second goal, during a power play press, came from a pass from Hanson. The Fox-Hanson duo is working well this season. Fox leads the team in points, and Hanson has 12 points -- five goals and seven assists -- in the ten games thus far this season, including the pre-season tournament.
The Colts defense was strong on Sunday, a fact that isn't readily apparent in box sheets, but that certainly deserves mention. Seniors Justin Ivy, Dylan Nessman, and Tanner Holubar all had good games, as did freshman Austin Ivy, with the four keeping the pressure on Arlington both inside and outside the zone, stealing the puck, and blocking shots. Adrian Newbern got in there and did his job too, and managed to keep his cool even when on the receiving end of some questionable calls. Dalton Watkins notched up his aggressive side a bit and added some valuable plays on both sides of the ice. Alex Novosel and Michael Bohling are welcome additions to the team who seemed to fit right into the lines, filling some much needed depth for this year's Colts.
It was, however, Hanson, who provided one of the most exciting moments of the game, when late, late, LATE in the third, with the Colts trailing 3-2 and short-handed, he took an Austin Ivy-Fox pass on the move from the left toward a huge skirmish in front of the net. While everyone from both teams seemed to be pushing, shoving, and blocking his way, Hanson scooped up the puck, crashed toward the net, and zipped a shot through the traffic and past the goalie's right side, before flying around the back of the net stick in the air in celebration of the goal. When the crowd cleared the ref signaled the point, and the game was tied 3-3 with less than half a minute to go.
Energized by their late period goal, the Colts hit overtime with a vengeance. An obviously tired Arlington Martin team was pretty much out of gas in OT, while the Colts dominated the ice with the goal of winning. Just a couple minutes into overtime, freshman Austin Ivy took a pass from Dylan Nessman, and as Arlington scrambled to react and shift left, Ivy carefully aimed his slapshot just perfectly and sent the puck screaming into the goal for the game winning shot. Incidentally, that Austin Ivy goal, his first of the season, was brilliantly reminiscent of those measured zingers of former Colts Nathan Hunke and Assistant Coach Justin Richardson. Absolutely beautiful!
The "Never Give Up Award" for the game goes to 8th grader Cody Richardson, who at one point got literally launched into the glass by a much larger Martin player while in pursuit of the puck. Cody then got trapped on the ground by a swarm of Martin players and some Colts fighting for the puck, yet Richardson kept defending, even while on his stomach pinned to the ice, until the melee was finally broken up by a ref.
The Arlington Martin game definitely showed that the Colts want to win. The team should be proud of how it hit the ice with that goal in mind and stuck with it until they achieved that win. Congratulations Colts! Kudos go out to our great coaches: Coach Hall, Coach Hanson, and Coach Richardson. Our fast-improving team couldn't do it without you!
The Colts face division rival St. Marks on Sunday, Nov. 22, at 6:30 in Farmer's Branch.
Colts families gotta love this picture of Keith and Max Foytik who are playing together on an adult team this season. Max was captain of the Mesquite Colts last year and had been a valuable member of the team, with points scored in at least 75% of the games he played, surpassing the 50
point mark during his high school career. Dad Keith served as assistant coach to Marty Winn for at least those five years, possibly more, helping lead the Colts to championship seasons. Sadly for the rest of us, Keith " retired" with Max. A club like this will always miss our families, but it's great to see that hockey never stops. The FB Snow Monkeys (Foytiks' team) will play the FB Chiefs in Farmers Branch Sat. Nov. 21, at 8 p.m. If you're in the area or want something to do, check it out!
point mark during his high school career. Dad Keith served as assistant coach to Marty Winn for at least those five years, possibly more, helping lead the Colts to championship seasons. Sadly for the rest of us, Keith " retired" with Max. A club like this will always miss our families, but it's great to see that hockey never stops. The FB Snow Monkeys (Foytiks' team) will play the FB Chiefs in Farmers Branch Sat. Nov. 21, at 8 p.m. If you're in the area or want something to do, check it out!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
What's a Coach to Say?
On Sunday, Nov. 7, the Colts lost to a team they know how to beat, and they lost pretty bad: 7 to 3. "What happened?" I asked a player. "Except for the first line, we just didn't get it together, and we made some turnover mistakes, and some unexpected goals got by." That's one answer.
"What happened?" I asked Coach Hall. "It was a rough game. We didn't play up to our potential offensively or defensively. The best thing to do is to put this one behind us, get back to work at practice Saturday and come out ready to play next Sunday."
"What happened?" I asked some parents. "It was brutal," "They didn't pass enough," "They don't shoot enough," "They don't look like a team that wants to win," "They need to focus on ... fill in the blank."
Coach Hall offered some specific highlights and lowlights of the game:
-Our first line scored all the goals. Ethan Fox, Cody Hanson and Coby Benson all had really good games. They played strong together, but they need more help.
- We had several turnovers that led directly to goals. We just weren't very sharp, and never really got much going.
-Our second and third lines struggled to get the puck out of our zone and to get shots on net.
-Our defensive communication was poor. When one guy made a mistake, the other guy wasn't there to cover up.
-We can't blame it on the refs. The other team got called for a bunch of penalties, but we were unable to take advantage of multiple power play chances. We even had a 5-on-3 chance late in the game, but we turned over the puck and the other team scored.
The truth is, these boys know how to play hockey and they can play better than they did on Sunday. They know how good it feels to play well together and to win. As parents we like it best when they win, but we'll settle for when they play well together. The coaches also want to see the kids play to their potential, and if possible, win the game.
So like Coach Hall said, let's put this one behind us and move on. Enough said.
"What happened?" I asked Coach Hall. "It was a rough game. We didn't play up to our potential offensively or defensively. The best thing to do is to put this one behind us, get back to work at practice Saturday and come out ready to play next Sunday."
"What happened?" I asked some parents. "It was brutal," "They didn't pass enough," "They don't shoot enough," "They don't look like a team that wants to win," "They need to focus on ... fill in the blank."
Coach Hall offered some specific highlights and lowlights of the game:
-Our first line scored all the goals. Ethan Fox, Cody Hanson and Coby Benson all had really good games. They played strong together, but they need more help.
- We had several turnovers that led directly to goals. We just weren't very sharp, and never really got much going.
-Our second and third lines struggled to get the puck out of our zone and to get shots on net.
-Our defensive communication was poor. When one guy made a mistake, the other guy wasn't there to cover up.
-We can't blame it on the refs. The other team got called for a bunch of penalties, but we were unable to take advantage of multiple power play chances. We even had a 5-on-3 chance late in the game, but we turned over the puck and the other team scored.
The truth is, these boys know how to play hockey and they can play better than they did on Sunday. They know how good it feels to play well together and to win. As parents we like it best when they win, but we'll settle for when they play well together. The coaches also want to see the kids play to their potential, and if possible, win the game.
So like Coach Hall said, let's put this one behind us and move on. Enough said.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Game recap vs Mckinney
BY TANNER HOLUBAR, ASSISTANT CAPTAIN
First off I want to say how much I liked the effort my team showed in this game. In hockey, trailing 5 to 0 can be a chance for a team to pack it in and look to the next game. It shows a lot about the heart of a team when they can keep skating hard and not give up and make a strong comeback to finish out a game. We had a problem on last years Colts team that when we got down by a couple goals we would sometimes give up and get lazy with our play, letting the other team dominate the play.
I also want to congratulate Matt Jenkin on scoring his first career goal as a Colt. Keep playing the same way Matt and you will score a lot more goals just like the one you scored.
If we can play the whole game like we did the second half of the Mckinney game we can beat anybody. Hard work and perserverance will help us win a lot of games.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Tough Loss Handed to Short-Handed Colts
The Mesquite Colts lost to Arlington Wild 4-1 in a contest that proved one thing: it's hard to score goals when you don't shoot the puck. In fact, if the scorekeeper's count was correct, the Colts got off just 8 shots in three periods to Arlington Wild's 38 shots.
It didn't start out that way, however, as Mesquite's #27 Dalton Watkins got the Colts get off to a strong start, putting the ponies first on the board with a goal four minutes into the contest. Cody Hanson got the assist by firing a sweet pass center that Watkins caught just perfect before ripping it into the net.
Coach Hall had his hands full during the early minutes trying to formulate new lines, as the Colts were missing three players. That left the team short-handed and a little shaken confidence-wise, as they tried their best to bond with linesmen they normally don't play with. A turnover late in the first led to a score for the Wild as Payton Baldillez passed it up to #25 James Haddock who hit the net. Another goal at the buzzer by Arlington's John Zimmerman put the Wild up at the end of the first by a score of 2-1.
Colts goalie, senior Paul Hinojo once again was sharp as a tack in net during the first period, deflecting 15 of 17 shots sent his way. By comparison, the Colts got off just 5 shots, and with a short bench, they were already starting to tire after the first 12 minutes.
During the second period, the Colts had their first power play opportunity when the Wild's Michael Chamadias got called for hooking just 38 seconds into play. Unfortunately the Colts failed to generate any heat on the power play and Arlington killed it to return to full strength.
Some good defense by the Colts' Dylan Nessman, Austin Ivy, and Justin Ivy was aided by Captain Ethan Fox who joined them at D, but the Wild kept firing at the net,and Arlington's Derek Kaufman finally slipped one past Paulie seven minutes in. A few minutes later the Colts gave Arlington their only power play opportunity of the game when Adrian Newbern was called for tripping. The best penalty killer on the ice was the Colts goalie, as Paul stopped four shots in two minutes, denying Arlington a power play goal.
Back at full strength the Colts failed to get it cooking and barely got off any shots. Our boys found themselves chasing a very good Arlington team, that handled the puck well, passed with proficiency, and looked like a team that had been together a long time. Once again Arlington out shot the colts 9-2 in the second period, and by this time, our boys were really feeling the burn of their short-handed bench.
The third period started off with a Colts power play opportunity just 17 seconds into the period as Arlington's Lance Weihmuller got tagged for elbowing to spend two minutes in the box. But once again the Colts couldn't generate the plays to score on the advantage. Then the Colts were robbed of one other power play opportunity as the refs totally missed the fact that the Wild had too many men on the ice.
Derek Kaufman scored his second goal of the game 8 minutes in to put Arlington up 4-1after a turnover had the obviously exhausted Colts chasing the puck around their own end.
Despite being crippled by a short roster, unfamiliar lines, and on-ice injuries during the game to veterans Coby Benson and Dylan Nessman, the Colts played hard. Sadly, too much hesitancy in shooting meant too little opportunity to score. But the Colts did do their best given all the things working against them, and their families and friends are still proud of how they battled through the adversity.
The Colts player of the game is #27 Dalton Watkins for scoring the solo goal for the team.
The team will be back to full strength, we hope, for a game on Sunday, Nov. 1, when the Colts face a rematch against McKinney. The game will be at 5:30 in McKinney at the Dr. Pepper Star Center.
It didn't start out that way, however, as Mesquite's #27 Dalton Watkins got the Colts get off to a strong start, putting the ponies first on the board with a goal four minutes into the contest. Cody Hanson got the assist by firing a sweet pass center that Watkins caught just perfect before ripping it into the net.
Coach Hall had his hands full during the early minutes trying to formulate new lines, as the Colts were missing three players. That left the team short-handed and a little shaken confidence-wise, as they tried their best to bond with linesmen they normally don't play with. A turnover late in the first led to a score for the Wild as Payton Baldillez passed it up to #25 James Haddock who hit the net. Another goal at the buzzer by Arlington's John Zimmerman put the Wild up at the end of the first by a score of 2-1.
Colts goalie, senior Paul Hinojo once again was sharp as a tack in net during the first period, deflecting 15 of 17 shots sent his way. By comparison, the Colts got off just 5 shots, and with a short bench, they were already starting to tire after the first 12 minutes.
During the second period, the Colts had their first power play opportunity when the Wild's Michael Chamadias got called for hooking just 38 seconds into play. Unfortunately the Colts failed to generate any heat on the power play and Arlington killed it to return to full strength.
Some good defense by the Colts' Dylan Nessman, Austin Ivy, and Justin Ivy was aided by Captain Ethan Fox who joined them at D, but the Wild kept firing at the net,and Arlington's Derek Kaufman finally slipped one past Paulie seven minutes in. A few minutes later the Colts gave Arlington their only power play opportunity of the game when Adrian Newbern was called for tripping. The best penalty killer on the ice was the Colts goalie, as Paul stopped four shots in two minutes, denying Arlington a power play goal.
Back at full strength the Colts failed to get it cooking and barely got off any shots. Our boys found themselves chasing a very good Arlington team, that handled the puck well, passed with proficiency, and looked like a team that had been together a long time. Once again Arlington out shot the colts 9-2 in the second period, and by this time, our boys were really feeling the burn of their short-handed bench.
The third period started off with a Colts power play opportunity just 17 seconds into the period as Arlington's Lance Weihmuller got tagged for elbowing to spend two minutes in the box. But once again the Colts couldn't generate the plays to score on the advantage. Then the Colts were robbed of one other power play opportunity as the refs totally missed the fact that the Wild had too many men on the ice.
Derek Kaufman scored his second goal of the game 8 minutes in to put Arlington up 4-1after a turnover had the obviously exhausted Colts chasing the puck around their own end.
Despite being crippled by a short roster, unfamiliar lines, and on-ice injuries during the game to veterans Coby Benson and Dylan Nessman, the Colts played hard. Sadly, too much hesitancy in shooting meant too little opportunity to score. But the Colts did do their best given all the things working against them, and their families and friends are still proud of how they battled through the adversity.
The Colts player of the game is #27 Dalton Watkins for scoring the solo goal for the team.
The team will be back to full strength, we hope, for a game on Sunday, Nov. 1, when the Colts face a rematch against McKinney. The game will be at 5:30 in McKinney at the Dr. Pepper Star Center.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Colts Win in Great Game Against Unbeaten Frisco
The Mesquite Colts handed Frisco their first loss of the season in an overtime 2-1 win that was definitely the most exciting game of the season thus far.
Cody Hanson gets credit for the game winner with a shoot-out goal that snuck the puck by Frisco goalie Justin Ball. Ethan Fox also scored in the shoot-out.
Regulation play ended after three periods with a score of 1-1, but don't let the low score fool you. This game was fast paced and evenly matched from the very first puck drop, as both the Frisco and Mesquite teams showed strong defense and Mesquite goalie Paul Hinojo was practically perfect, stopping 25 shots on goal and letting just one get by.
During the first period, Mesquite found itself with just one power play opportunity against a team that in just two previous games had racked up 18 penalties. Frisco killed the penalty without concern before Assistant Captain Justin Ivy had to take a seat for ten minutes midway through the period for letting his mouthpiece dangle in his cage. (Note to team: your teeth are beautiful -- let's keep them that way!)
The first period saw the Colts a little slow on the shoot, with few scoring chances and not enough shots aimed at the net, but the pace of play was fast, passes looked good, and the defense kept Frisco from camping out in front of the net.
The second period was also scoreless, with Frisco managing to keep everyone out of the box for a full period. The Colts played a physical second period, with junior Coby Benson throwing his body on the ice to save a shot, and both the Colts offense and defense keeping the Frisco team tied up enough to thwart their best efforts at hitting the net.
Once again the youngest members of the team showed they know how to get in there and play, as both Cody Richardson and Matthew Jenkin saw more playing time during this game. Jenkin caught some great passes from his linesmen, sweeping in at left wing at high speed before being pushed out of range by the Frisco defense. Richardson stopped some forward motion by Frisco on more than one occasion, bashing into some big Frisco boys without hesitation. 9th grader Austin Ivy also played well, hanging at the point and keeping the puck in Colts territory to give his team mates chances that were stopped dead by goalie Ball.
The third period started off with a face off win by the Colts that put the puck in range. Good passing among the Colts opened up a few scoring opportunities that were blocked by the bodies of Frisco D camped in front of the net. Just 49 seconds into the third Assistant Captain Tanner Holubar got two minutes in the box for a shove deemed as slashing, but the Colts killed the penalty with puck control and smart play.
Third period hits intensified just as the speed of play started to slow. Frisco's Pierce Petry got called for tripping, and Nick Adams got two minutes for a shot saving hook. With Adams in the box and both teams starting to run out of steam, Frisco's Geoffrey Giacoman took a sweet pass from Austin Cox to score a powerplay goal with just over two minutes to go.
With the Colts at full strength, Mesquite went gunning for the goal,and with just over three minutes to play, Frisco's Austin Cox tripped a Colts forward to land in the box and give the Colts one last chance at a power play. With Colts forwards front and center waiting for a pass, senior Justin Ivy took advantage of the pushing and shoving going on in front of the net and shot a beautiful slapshot from the center of the blue line, through traffic right past the goalie's head to tie the game at 1-1.
Tension mounted and the crowd got loud as the five minute overtime began. Both teams seemed to have found new energy and a willingness to battle til the end, and even with the Frisco team short a man for throwing an elbow, overtime ended still tied.
That's when Colts goalie Paul Hinojo really shined, as he confidently faced Frisco's Jake Martinez, denying him a goal. Captain Ethan Fox then lobbed a beauty behind goalie Ball, moving the Mesquite crowd to a near frenzy. Next Hinojo easily stopped a shot by Frisco's Preston Ware, leaving Frisco with only one other chance to the Colts two. Nick Adams took a shot for the Colts that didn't quite do what he intended, before Frisco's Cox snuck one past Paulie.
With virtually every fan on both sides of the ice on their feet for what we hoped would be the last shot of the game, Mesquite's Cody Hanson took off from center ice, deked to the right, and slung one in to win the game for the Colts. There was a slight delay while everyone counted "1...2...3," and then the Colts bench cleared, with our very happy boys pouncing on Hanson and Hinojo in celebration of their win.
Coaches Hall, Hanson, and Richardson can be very proud of their boys and their very effective and consistent coaching strategy. The Colts never let up for more than 41 minutes of play, and both Colts players and fans were understandably ecstatic about their win.
The Colts face Arlington Martin in Euless at the Dr. Pepper Star Center at 4:15 on Sunday, Oct. 25. See you at the rink!
Cody Hanson gets credit for the game winner with a shoot-out goal that snuck the puck by Frisco goalie Justin Ball. Ethan Fox also scored in the shoot-out.
Regulation play ended after three periods with a score of 1-1, but don't let the low score fool you. This game was fast paced and evenly matched from the very first puck drop, as both the Frisco and Mesquite teams showed strong defense and Mesquite goalie Paul Hinojo was practically perfect, stopping 25 shots on goal and letting just one get by.
During the first period, Mesquite found itself with just one power play opportunity against a team that in just two previous games had racked up 18 penalties. Frisco killed the penalty without concern before Assistant Captain Justin Ivy had to take a seat for ten minutes midway through the period for letting his mouthpiece dangle in his cage. (Note to team: your teeth are beautiful -- let's keep them that way!)
The first period saw the Colts a little slow on the shoot, with few scoring chances and not enough shots aimed at the net, but the pace of play was fast, passes looked good, and the defense kept Frisco from camping out in front of the net.
The second period was also scoreless, with Frisco managing to keep everyone out of the box for a full period. The Colts played a physical second period, with junior Coby Benson throwing his body on the ice to save a shot, and both the Colts offense and defense keeping the Frisco team tied up enough to thwart their best efforts at hitting the net.
Once again the youngest members of the team showed they know how to get in there and play, as both Cody Richardson and Matthew Jenkin saw more playing time during this game. Jenkin caught some great passes from his linesmen, sweeping in at left wing at high speed before being pushed out of range by the Frisco defense. Richardson stopped some forward motion by Frisco on more than one occasion, bashing into some big Frisco boys without hesitation. 9th grader Austin Ivy also played well, hanging at the point and keeping the puck in Colts territory to give his team mates chances that were stopped dead by goalie Ball.
The third period started off with a face off win by the Colts that put the puck in range. Good passing among the Colts opened up a few scoring opportunities that were blocked by the bodies of Frisco D camped in front of the net. Just 49 seconds into the third Assistant Captain Tanner Holubar got two minutes in the box for a shove deemed as slashing, but the Colts killed the penalty with puck control and smart play.
Third period hits intensified just as the speed of play started to slow. Frisco's Pierce Petry got called for tripping, and Nick Adams got two minutes for a shot saving hook. With Adams in the box and both teams starting to run out of steam, Frisco's Geoffrey Giacoman took a sweet pass from Austin Cox to score a powerplay goal with just over two minutes to go.
With the Colts at full strength, Mesquite went gunning for the goal,and with just over three minutes to play, Frisco's Austin Cox tripped a Colts forward to land in the box and give the Colts one last chance at a power play. With Colts forwards front and center waiting for a pass, senior Justin Ivy took advantage of the pushing and shoving going on in front of the net and shot a beautiful slapshot from the center of the blue line, through traffic right past the goalie's head to tie the game at 1-1.
Tension mounted and the crowd got loud as the five minute overtime began. Both teams seemed to have found new energy and a willingness to battle til the end, and even with the Frisco team short a man for throwing an elbow, overtime ended still tied.
That's when Colts goalie Paul Hinojo really shined, as he confidently faced Frisco's Jake Martinez, denying him a goal. Captain Ethan Fox then lobbed a beauty behind goalie Ball, moving the Mesquite crowd to a near frenzy. Next Hinojo easily stopped a shot by Frisco's Preston Ware, leaving Frisco with only one other chance to the Colts two. Nick Adams took a shot for the Colts that didn't quite do what he intended, before Frisco's Cox snuck one past Paulie.
With virtually every fan on both sides of the ice on their feet for what we hoped would be the last shot of the game, Mesquite's Cody Hanson took off from center ice, deked to the right, and slung one in to win the game for the Colts. There was a slight delay while everyone counted "1...2...3," and then the Colts bench cleared, with our very happy boys pouncing on Hanson and Hinojo in celebration of their win.
Coaches Hall, Hanson, and Richardson can be very proud of their boys and their very effective and consistent coaching strategy. The Colts never let up for more than 41 minutes of play, and both Colts players and fans were understandably ecstatic about their win.
The Colts face Arlington Martin in Euless at the Dr. Pepper Star Center at 4:15 on Sunday, Oct. 25. See you at the rink!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Colts to Face Frisco Sunday
Although far too early in the season for any sort of prediction, the Mesquite Colts proved last week that they can compete in this league.
After a tough defeat last week by McKinney, the Colts will have to be on their game for three full periods when they face Frisco this Sunday at 6:30 in Farmers Branch. Frisco is 2-0 after beating both McKinney and Allen.
What seems to be clear from a review of the box scores on last Sunday's Frisco defeat over Allen is this team plays a great defensive game and has one heck of a good goalie. Last week Allen attacked Frisco goalie Cameron Boudreau with 42 shots on goal, and Boudreau stopped all but two.
On the other side of the ice, Frisco took only 20 shots on Allen goalie Noah Wardlow, but they made them count, getting three in net to win the game.
Stats on Frisco don't show any one dominant player, but instead a good all-around team. Last week against Allen three different players scored: #28 Kyle Flowers, #64 Chris Thomas, and #3 Geoffrey Giacoman, who is credited with the game winning goal.
Looking back on Frisco's contest against McKinney, the team scored five goals, all by different players. Other goal scorers for Frisco include #21 Michael Ely, #53 Austin Cox, #98 Pierce Petry, and #32 Rick Acosta, who scored two, including the game winner two weeks ago.
Moral of this story: the team looks good on paper, but when looking at Mesquite, our boys look darn good too.
Thus far in the season, Mesquite has put points on the board with goals by #19 Tanner Holubar, #21 Coby Benson (2), #6 Ethan Fox (2), #5 Defenseman Justin Ivy,#9 Cody Hanson, and #8 Brian Hall.
The game this Sunday will mostly likely be another physical contest, and the Colts may get a chance to use their Power Play game against this Frisco team, which racked up 11 penalties in its first game with McKinney and another seven last week against Allen.
Roughing seemed to be the penalty of choice for Frisco last week, as Frisco's #28 Kyle Flowers got called twice to spend four minutes in the box for roughing, while #64 Chris Thomas and #27 Taylor Carlat did their two minutes time for roughing, as well.
If the Frisco team is analyzing the Colts, they may feel like they have an easy game ahead, as the Colts' 6-3 loss to McKinney belies how well the team actually played.
The Colts do anticipate having senior goalie Paul Hinojo back in net this week, after missing last week's McKinney game due to the flu. 8th grade goalie John Seitzler did an awesome job for the Colts last week, and if needed, he'll be there for the Colts again this week.
Coach Hall might possibly be switching up the lines a bit once again, possibly making a change between Nick Adams, who has been playing defense, and Tanner Holubar who has been playing center. Adams and Holubar, who each play both offense and defense, approached the coach about the strategy after the loss to McKinney, believing that the front lines would benefit from Adams' speed and that Holubar's size might be valuable in keeping Frisco out of scoring position near the net.
Team Captain Ethan Fox, who doesn't like to lose, says the Colts will be looking for a "W" this week. He hopes for a strong practice on decent ice tomorrow with the full squad. Last week several seniors missed practice to sit for college entrance exams, and the team was forced to practice in Addison on lousy ice that wreaked havoc on just about everyone's skates.
Excuses aside, a good practice Saturday, the return of all seniors to the ice, and a healthy Hinojo should prepare the team for a strong game and a win against the Frisco team. Go Colts!
After a tough defeat last week by McKinney, the Colts will have to be on their game for three full periods when they face Frisco this Sunday at 6:30 in Farmers Branch. Frisco is 2-0 after beating both McKinney and Allen.
What seems to be clear from a review of the box scores on last Sunday's Frisco defeat over Allen is this team plays a great defensive game and has one heck of a good goalie. Last week Allen attacked Frisco goalie Cameron Boudreau with 42 shots on goal, and Boudreau stopped all but two.
On the other side of the ice, Frisco took only 20 shots on Allen goalie Noah Wardlow, but they made them count, getting three in net to win the game.
Stats on Frisco don't show any one dominant player, but instead a good all-around team. Last week against Allen three different players scored: #28 Kyle Flowers, #64 Chris Thomas, and #3 Geoffrey Giacoman, who is credited with the game winning goal.
Looking back on Frisco's contest against McKinney, the team scored five goals, all by different players. Other goal scorers for Frisco include #21 Michael Ely, #53 Austin Cox, #98 Pierce Petry, and #32 Rick Acosta, who scored two, including the game winner two weeks ago.
Moral of this story: the team looks good on paper, but when looking at Mesquite, our boys look darn good too.
Thus far in the season, Mesquite has put points on the board with goals by #19 Tanner Holubar, #21 Coby Benson (2), #6 Ethan Fox (2), #5 Defenseman Justin Ivy,#9 Cody Hanson, and #8 Brian Hall.
The game this Sunday will mostly likely be another physical contest, and the Colts may get a chance to use their Power Play game against this Frisco team, which racked up 11 penalties in its first game with McKinney and another seven last week against Allen.
Roughing seemed to be the penalty of choice for Frisco last week, as Frisco's #28 Kyle Flowers got called twice to spend four minutes in the box for roughing, while #64 Chris Thomas and #27 Taylor Carlat did their two minutes time for roughing, as well.
If the Frisco team is analyzing the Colts, they may feel like they have an easy game ahead, as the Colts' 6-3 loss to McKinney belies how well the team actually played.
The Colts do anticipate having senior goalie Paul Hinojo back in net this week, after missing last week's McKinney game due to the flu. 8th grade goalie John Seitzler did an awesome job for the Colts last week, and if needed, he'll be there for the Colts again this week.
Coach Hall might possibly be switching up the lines a bit once again, possibly making a change between Nick Adams, who has been playing defense, and Tanner Holubar who has been playing center. Adams and Holubar, who each play both offense and defense, approached the coach about the strategy after the loss to McKinney, believing that the front lines would benefit from Adams' speed and that Holubar's size might be valuable in keeping Frisco out of scoring position near the net.
Team Captain Ethan Fox, who doesn't like to lose, says the Colts will be looking for a "W" this week. He hopes for a strong practice on decent ice tomorrow with the full squad. Last week several seniors missed practice to sit for college entrance exams, and the team was forced to practice in Addison on lousy ice that wreaked havoc on just about everyone's skates.
Excuses aside, a good practice Saturday, the return of all seniors to the ice, and a healthy Hinojo should prepare the team for a strong game and a win against the Frisco team. Go Colts!
Monday, October 12, 2009
Colts Fall to McKniney
The Colts lost their first game on the road with a 6-3 fall to McKinney on Sunday, Oct. 11.
With a final score of 6-3, it may sound as though the Colts were out-matched, but in reality, the team hung tough for two and a half periods, and with just seven minutes to go and a three to three tie, the McKinney team outshot and outscored the Colts.
"We hung tough and the boys all played well together. This was a fast team and we stayed with them most of the game," Coach Dennis Hall said after the game.
The McKinney loss stops the new coach's winning streak, which had stood at 4-0 including the pre-season tournament sweep.
"We really beat ourselves tonight. We can beat this team next time," Coach Hall said.
Team captain Ethan Fox showed his leadership on the ice with one goal and two assists. Fox played a physical contest, as well, taking McKinney out of play on numerous occasions with solid checks and a couple tangles that landed him in the penalty box.
McKinney started off strong and never let up. Two early goals put them up 2-0, before Cody Hanson took a pass from Fox to end the first at 2-1. The Colts came back to the ice for the second determined to catch up, and catch they did, as Fox took a pass from Adrian Newbern to tie the score at two less than two minutes into the second.
McKinney answered back during a miscue on line change by the Colts that left the D in a 5 on 2 situation and opened up a perfect scoring opportunity for the McKinney team. That goal by McKinney's Mason Smith put that team up 3-2, but the Colts were un-phased, coming back with a battle near the McKinney goal that had Fox fending off at least three McKinney Players before centering a pass that Brian Hall shot with a perfect wrister, tying the game again at 3-3.
The Colts rookie goalie, 8th grader John Wayne Seitzler, had a stellar performance in net, including some phenomenal grabs that were hard flung by McKinney's offense. Early in the third, however, he was rattled a bit by a puck that tipped off his own shoulder to land in net and put the McKinney team up 4-3. That goal seemed to renew the McKinney team, which went on to score two more unanswered goals to end the game at 6-3.
"I think we learned tonight that every game is going to be played hard until the end and we can never let up. McKinney wanted this win and they fought hard until the end. We had some trouble on line change and a few times our defense underestimated the speed of this team and played too far up for our own protection, but we learned something here," Coach Hall said.
The Colts will be back on the ice Sunday, Oct. 18 with a 6:30 game against Frisco in Farmer's Branch.
With a final score of 6-3, it may sound as though the Colts were out-matched, but in reality, the team hung tough for two and a half periods, and with just seven minutes to go and a three to three tie, the McKinney team outshot and outscored the Colts.
"We hung tough and the boys all played well together. This was a fast team and we stayed with them most of the game," Coach Dennis Hall said after the game.
The McKinney loss stops the new coach's winning streak, which had stood at 4-0 including the pre-season tournament sweep.
"We really beat ourselves tonight. We can beat this team next time," Coach Hall said.
Team captain Ethan Fox showed his leadership on the ice with one goal and two assists. Fox played a physical contest, as well, taking McKinney out of play on numerous occasions with solid checks and a couple tangles that landed him in the penalty box.
McKinney started off strong and never let up. Two early goals put them up 2-0, before Cody Hanson took a pass from Fox to end the first at 2-1. The Colts came back to the ice for the second determined to catch up, and catch they did, as Fox took a pass from Adrian Newbern to tie the score at two less than two minutes into the second.
McKinney answered back during a miscue on line change by the Colts that left the D in a 5 on 2 situation and opened up a perfect scoring opportunity for the McKinney team. That goal by McKinney's Mason Smith put that team up 3-2, but the Colts were un-phased, coming back with a battle near the McKinney goal that had Fox fending off at least three McKinney Players before centering a pass that Brian Hall shot with a perfect wrister, tying the game again at 3-3.
The Colts rookie goalie, 8th grader John Wayne Seitzler, had a stellar performance in net, including some phenomenal grabs that were hard flung by McKinney's offense. Early in the third, however, he was rattled a bit by a puck that tipped off his own shoulder to land in net and put the McKinney team up 4-3. That goal seemed to renew the McKinney team, which went on to score two more unanswered goals to end the game at 6-3.
"I think we learned tonight that every game is going to be played hard until the end and we can never let up. McKinney wanted this win and they fought hard until the end. We had some trouble on line change and a few times our defense underestimated the speed of this team and played too far up for our own protection, but we learned something here," Coach Hall said.
The Colts will be back on the ice Sunday, Oct. 18 with a 6:30 game against Frisco in Farmer's Branch.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Colts to Face McKinney Oct. 11
The Mesquite Colts will take on McKinney on Sunday, Oct. 11 at 7:15 at the new Dr. Pepper Star Center in McKinney, Texas.
The Colts plan to break in the new ice with a win over the McKinney team, which lost to Frisco 5-3 last week. The Colts will have their eyes on McKinney's #68 Ty Holt, who scored two of the three goals McKinney made, as well as # 25 Jorden Runeberg, who fueled both Holt goals and came up with two assists in the same game. The only other goal made by McKinney in its first game was an unassisted shot my #17 Mark Means.
Judging from the laundry list of penalties incurred by both McKinney and Frisco in their game last week, this is sure to be a very physical contest. McKinney's #7 Nick Harty leads his team in penalty minutes with 14, although that includes a ten minute unsportsman like conduct penalty apparently at the ending buzzer of the game. From their first game it looks as though this team is full of guys who like it physical and maybe a little dirty -- hooking, tripping, interference, roughing, cross checking -- either that or the officials were a bit whistle happy last week. I counted 21 penalties during the game: 10 against McKinney. That's a lot.
The Colts will need to play their usual clean style of skill-based hockey, but the hockey moms in the stands probably need to be prepared to see a little bit of rough stuff out on the ice. Let's hope the Colts can focus on scoring goals and let's also hope the coaches from McKinney have told their boys to try to do the same.
Go Colts! Let's win in McKinney!
The Colts plan to break in the new ice with a win over the McKinney team, which lost to Frisco 5-3 last week. The Colts will have their eyes on McKinney's #68 Ty Holt, who scored two of the three goals McKinney made, as well as # 25 Jorden Runeberg, who fueled both Holt goals and came up with two assists in the same game. The only other goal made by McKinney in its first game was an unassisted shot my #17 Mark Means.
Judging from the laundry list of penalties incurred by both McKinney and Frisco in their game last week, this is sure to be a very physical contest. McKinney's #7 Nick Harty leads his team in penalty minutes with 14, although that includes a ten minute unsportsman like conduct penalty apparently at the ending buzzer of the game. From their first game it looks as though this team is full of guys who like it physical and maybe a little dirty -- hooking, tripping, interference, roughing, cross checking -- either that or the officials were a bit whistle happy last week. I counted 21 penalties during the game: 10 against McKinney. That's a lot.
The Colts will need to play their usual clean style of skill-based hockey, but the hockey moms in the stands probably need to be prepared to see a little bit of rough stuff out on the ice. Let's hope the Colts can focus on scoring goals and let's also hope the coaches from McKinney have told their boys to try to do the same.
Go Colts! Let's win in McKinney!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Colts Defeat Keller in Opening Game Victory: Paul Hinojo Shines in Net
The Mesquite Colts handily beat a strong Keller team in their game opener on Sunday, Oct. 4 by a score of 4-2. Senior goalie Paul Hinojo (shown at left) delivered 19 saves on 21 shots, looking exceedingly strong in net for the Colts, while junior Coby Benson racked up two goals and one assist to end as league point leader with 3 after the first week of play.
Assistant Captain Tanner Holubar gets credit for the first goal of the season, when he grabbed a rebound off a shot by Benson to put the Colts on the board mid way through the first period. Keller answered back three minutes later with a passing play leading to a goal by Keller's Andrew Hoefer, but the Keller team had already begun a pattern of penalty trouble that would leave them short-handed as they entered the second period.
The Colts entered the second period with renewed energy and speed. Particularly impressive were Matthew Jenkins and Adrian Hall in the aggressive play and willingness to tangle with a physical Keller team. Troubles for Keller continued, as Keller's Kyle Lewis got called for tripping just 18 seconds in and joined his teammate Haydon Hammonds in the box. A few seconds later, assistant captain Justin Ivy schooled the Keller team, taking a pass to the point from Ethan Fox, and firing off a shot that tipped off a Keller defenseman's stick to go top shelf to put the Colts 2-1 with a powerplay goal.
The battle on the ice grew increasingly physical during the second period. Colts Captain Ethan Fox, who found himself tied up by a swarm of Keller cover all night long, got called for roughing as he pushed his way out of the masses, then Keller's Lewis went right back to the box for a second tripping penalty almost immediately upon his return to the ice. Jamal Holland of Keller also got his second penalty of the game during the second period. Despite the battling, Keller got off numerous shots during the period and pressured the goal, but all attempts were denied by a perfectly tuned Hinojo. With less than three minutes in the second, Benson took a well-timed pass from junior Cody Hanson to score and put the ponies up 3-1. A hooking charge on the Colts Nick Adams left the team short-handed as they entered the third period, but the Hanson to Benson pass play worked once again, making it 4-1with short hands 30 seconds into the third.
Keller's Brent Rector answered Benson's second goal quickly with a powerplay goal, bringing it to 4-2, but the Keller team had nothing left. Colts dominated puck control throughout the third, as both goalies had perfect stats over the last 8 minutes of game play. The Colts got off a total of 16 shots on Keller goalie Brian Crawford.
In summary, the Colts played a good, clean, aggressive hockey game. Keller didn't do itself any favors with 12 penalty minutes to the Colts six, and Colts goalie Paul Hinojo was on fire. Rookie Colts players showed what awesome additions they will be to the team. Rookies playing their first game in a Colts jersey included John Wayne Seiztler, Dalton Watkins, Cody Richardson, Matthew Jenkin, Brian Hall and Adrian Hall.
Former Colts hockey coach Marty Winn was on hand to watch the game (you can take Marty out of the Colts, but you can't take the Colts out of Marty), and he commented post-game on his extreme satisfaction at how they played against a tough Keller team. "They looked good. Not only the ones you expect to play well, but all of them," he said, adding how impressed he had been with some of the smaller, younger players on the team.
New Head Coach Dennis Hall racks up his first win and can be proud of how his team performed during their opening game. For complete stats, visit Pointstreak.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Colts Face Keller in Opening Puck Drop
Coach Dennis Hall, team captain Ethan Fox, and the Mesquite Colts high school hockey team will hit the ice for their opening game of the 2009/10 season, when they face Keller at the Dallas Stars Dr. Pepper Star Center in Euless, Sunday, Oct. 4 at 5:30 p.m.
Fox, a senior at Poteet High School, will join with returning seniors Justin Ivy (Horn High), Dylan Nessman (Horn High), Paul Hinojo (Dallas Christian Academy), and Tanner Holubar (Mabank High School) to lead the rest of the Colts roster in their first game as part of the Gold division in the AT&T Metroplex High School Hockey League.
This is Coach Hall's first game for the Colts, after taking over from longtime Coach Marty Winn, who retired after the 2008/09 season.
Coach Hall says his team is ready to start the season and looks forward to the new stiffer competition in the JV Gold class.
“We have a range of talent on this team. Ethan Fox is our captain for a reason. He sets the pace, and that pace is fast. We have a good range of size and speed, but best of all these kids want to win. We also are a team that isn’t afraid of getting physical, and that’s how we’ll have to start and finish every game to win in this division,” Hall says.
The Mesquite Colts will face formidable opponents in the Gold division, including teams from McKinney, Frisco, Allen, Coppell, and Arlington. Games are held on Sundays. The first four games will be today in Euless at 5:30, Sunday, Oct. 11 at 7:15 at McKinney, Sunday, Oct. 18 at 6:30 in Farmers Branch against Frisco, and Sunday, Oct. 25 at 4:15 p.m. in Euless against the Arlington Wild.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Ethan Fox Named Captain of 2009/10 Colts
The Mesquite Colts has voted last year’s leading scorer and fan favorite, Ethan Fox, as captain for the 2009/10 season. Fox will wear the “C” on his number 6 jersey. He has played forward for the Mesquite Colts Ice Hockey Club since 2007. This is Fox’s third season with the Colts. He also plays for the Duncanville Dragons and has been a league leader in point totals with the Dallas Stars Junior Hockey League.
Fox was voted captain by his team mates, in large part for the fact that he never fails to give everything he has every time he’s on the ice. Fox will be assisted by three assistant captains: seniors Dylan Nessman, Justin Ivy, and Tanner Holubar.
Congratulations to the 2009/10 Captain's Corp!
Fox was voted captain by his team mates, in large part for the fact that he never fails to give everything he has every time he’s on the ice. Fox will be assisted by three assistant captains: seniors Dylan Nessman, Justin Ivy, and Tanner Holubar.
Congratulations to the 2009/10 Captain's Corp!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Earn Money for Hockey with Fundraisers
Beer Sales Starting NOW!
One of the most profitable fundraising efforts for the parents of Mesquite Colts players is serving as a vendor at the Superpages Concerts.
The fall effort kicks off on Saturday, 8/15 with the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival. We need people to sell beer starting at 2:15 p.m. Sales will continue for the entire day and evening. This is a HUGE opportunity to make some real cash for your child's hockey account.
You MUST GET CERTIFIED by the TABC before you can work a concert. This takes as much as three hours, but it is done on your schedule online at www.tabctogo.com. You will need to pay $15 for the certification.
THE MORE YOU WORK THE MORE YOU MAKE!
Sat. 8/15 2:15 p.m. - Mayhem Festival with Marilyn Manson & Slayer
Fri, 8/21 7:00 p.m. - Def Leppard with Poison and Cheap Trick
Sat. 8/22 8:00 p.m. - Incubus
Sun. 8/23 6:30 p.m. - Lil' Wayne
Sat. 8/29 8:00 p.m. - Depeche Mode
Sat. 9/12 7:30 p.m. - Brad Paisley with Dierks Bentley and Jimmy Wayne
Tue. 9/22 7:30 p.m. - Creed
Wed. 9/23 6:30 p.m - Blink -182 with Fall Out Boy
Fri. 10/16 7:00 p.m. - The Allman Brothers Band
The more you work, the more you make. This is a short term commitment, Please join us with this important fundraiser! We welcome your participation and NEED your help. Proceeds are divided among those families that work the shows and money is deposited directly into your Colts Account. You really can earn hundreds of dollars tax free(!)for hockey by serving in this volunteer capacity.
Contact Ceci Hinojo!
One of the most profitable fundraising efforts for the parents of Mesquite Colts players is serving as a vendor at the Superpages Concerts.
The fall effort kicks off on Saturday, 8/15 with the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival. We need people to sell beer starting at 2:15 p.m. Sales will continue for the entire day and evening. This is a HUGE opportunity to make some real cash for your child's hockey account.
You MUST GET CERTIFIED by the TABC before you can work a concert. This takes as much as three hours, but it is done on your schedule online at www.tabctogo.com. You will need to pay $15 for the certification.
THE MORE YOU WORK THE MORE YOU MAKE!
Sat. 8/15 2:15 p.m. - Mayhem Festival with Marilyn Manson & Slayer
Fri, 8/21 7:00 p.m. - Def Leppard with Poison and Cheap Trick
Sat. 8/22 8:00 p.m. - Incubus
Sun. 8/23 6:30 p.m. - Lil' Wayne
Sat. 8/29 8:00 p.m. - Depeche Mode
Sat. 9/12 7:30 p.m. - Brad Paisley with Dierks Bentley and Jimmy Wayne
Tue. 9/22 7:30 p.m. - Creed
Wed. 9/23 6:30 p.m - Blink -182 with Fall Out Boy
Fri. 10/16 7:00 p.m. - The Allman Brothers Band
The more you work, the more you make. This is a short term commitment, Please join us with this important fundraiser! We welcome your participation and NEED your help. Proceeds are divided among those families that work the shows and money is deposited directly into your Colts Account. You really can earn hundreds of dollars tax free(!)for hockey by serving in this volunteer capacity.
Contact Ceci Hinojo!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Great Turn-Out for Skate with the Colts!
Thanks to all the parents and players who showed up for our Meet the Coach and Skate with the Colts event.
If you were there, we hope you were as impressed with Coach Dennis Hall as our hiring committee was when they met him. The returning Colts members had nothing but good things to say about the way the coach ran the practice and how much fun it was to be back together again.
It was especially great to have our former coach Marty Winn out on the ice. It was the perfect way to transition the team as we prepare for our 2009/10 season.
Many of the players on the ice Sunday, July 19 are former players who have graduated or who are moving on to play travel hockey. Our hope is that all eligible former Colts will consider returning to our team, and the board is committed to doing what we can to make it affordable for those who wish to play with us, as well as play with their travel organizations.
Everyone at the event on Sunday was particularly happy to get a glimpse at the future of the Colts. We had more than a dozen new skaters in 8th and 9th grade who we hope will consider joining the team. These players are the future of our organization and the talent and potential was definitely promising.
More information on our 2009/10 Colts Conditioning Camp, which will focus on strength and endurance training, will be provided to all players and prospects in the next couple of days. Thanks to Darrin Watkins, Mike Hanson, Curt Benson and Coach Hall for their efforts in securing weight training facilities and making plays for this important part of our pre0season training.
Additional information on fundraising opportunities, particularly immediate programs to generate down payment funds to pay for league fees and initial ice time, will be provided to the players at the first dryland practice or via email to parents in advance of that date.
Any questions or concerns about anything related to the Colts are welcome at 903 880 8217 (Connie) any time.
Thanks again for turning out, and if you were unable to attend this event but are interested in finding out more about joining the Mesquite Colts High School Hockey Club, please give us a call or email connie@outreachpr.com
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Get Fired Up for the Coolest Team on Ice! The Colts are Recruiting for the 2009/10 Season!
The Mesquite Colts High School Hockey Club is home to the proud legacy of the Mesquite Colts. Our roster is full of talent, fueled by hard work. The Colts love hockey, and when they hit the ice, there's just nothing cooler. Click on the video below to get fired up about joining us in the stands -- or on the ice -- for the upcoming 2009/10 season in the AT&T Metroplex High School Hockey League!
FAQ
Q: Is ice hockey an “official” high school sport?
A: Although this is a high school sport and the ATT league is made up of teams from high schools throughout the DFW area, ice hockey is not sanctioned by the UIL.
Q: How is it funded?
A: Players and their families are responsible for all fees and costs associated with playing ice hockey. However, the Mesquite Colts offer a variety of fundraising opportunities to help defray the cost of playing hockey. The team also actively solicits corporate sponsorships to cover expenses wherever possible.
Q: Is there travel involved?
A: All games are held in the DFW metropolitan area.
Q: When are games held?
A: JV teams play on Sunday nights. Varsity teams play on Thursday nights. (Subject to change.) There is typically one game per week. The Colts also participate in one or two tournaments each year.
Q: When are practices?
A: Practices are held after school or on the weekends. For 2009/10, we anticipate one practice on Saturdays and a possible second practice on a weekday evening.
Q: What about equipment?
A: The Colts Team Manager (Paul Nessman, nessman5@sbcglobal.net) can provide you with a list of equipment each player needs. The team also can assist in locating used equipment and is available to direct parents to stores where equipment can be purchased. Team discounts may be available, and some equipment may be supplied by the club.
Q: Do you offer fundraising opportunities?
A: A variety of different fundraisers are available to team members and their families. More information will be provided to parents as the season approaches.
Q: How does the club work?
A: A board of directors organizes the club activities and finances, handles communications, arranges for ice time, hires the coaching staff, organizes camps and training, as serves to assist players and their families with any needs associated with club membership.
A: Although this is a high school sport and the ATT league is made up of teams from high schools throughout the DFW area, ice hockey is not sanctioned by the UIL.
Q: How is it funded?
A: Players and their families are responsible for all fees and costs associated with playing ice hockey. However, the Mesquite Colts offer a variety of fundraising opportunities to help defray the cost of playing hockey. The team also actively solicits corporate sponsorships to cover expenses wherever possible.
Q: Is there travel involved?
A: All games are held in the DFW metropolitan area.
Q: When are games held?
A: JV teams play on Sunday nights. Varsity teams play on Thursday nights. (Subject to change.) There is typically one game per week. The Colts also participate in one or two tournaments each year.
Q: When are practices?
A: Practices are held after school or on the weekends. For 2009/10, we anticipate one practice on Saturdays and a possible second practice on a weekday evening.
Q: What about equipment?
A: The Colts Team Manager (Paul Nessman, nessman5@sbcglobal.net) can provide you with a list of equipment each player needs. The team also can assist in locating used equipment and is available to direct parents to stores where equipment can be purchased. Team discounts may be available, and some equipment may be supplied by the club.
Q: Do you offer fundraising opportunities?
A: A variety of different fundraisers are available to team members and their families. More information will be provided to parents as the season approaches.
Q: How does the club work?
A: A board of directors organizes the club activities and finances, handles communications, arranges for ice time, hires the coaching staff, organizes camps and training, as serves to assist players and their families with any needs associated with club membership.
Hockey Season Coming Soon!
The Mesquite Colts hockey season begins in October and runs through March. Play-offs are typically in early April.
Team practices will begin in late July with Colts Conditioning Camp, which is open to both current team members and those interested in joining the team.
The Colts will also hold a Colts Mini-Camp in early August to give players a chance to work with the Colts Coaching Staff and team members in on-ice drills and scrimmages prior to Tryouts.
Team practices are one to two times each week. Games are held throughout the Metroplex at area Dr. Pepper Star Centers. Colts home games are played at the Dr. Pepper Star Center in Duncanville.
Varsity teams play on Thursdays. Junior Varsity Teams play on Sundays. (Schedule is subject to change.)
Team practices will begin in late July with Colts Conditioning Camp, which is open to both current team members and those interested in joining the team.
The Colts will also hold a Colts Mini-Camp in early August to give players a chance to work with the Colts Coaching Staff and team members in on-ice drills and scrimmages prior to Tryouts.
Team practices are one to two times each week. Games are held throughout the Metroplex at area Dr. Pepper Star Centers. Colts home games are played at the Dr. Pepper Star Center in Duncanville.
Varsity teams play on Thursdays. Junior Varsity Teams play on Sundays. (Schedule is subject to change.)
Become a Colt!
The Mesquite Colts are actively recruiting athletes who want to play ice hockey in a fun, competitive environment that involves both teens and their families in the hottest sport on ice!
Is travel hockey wearing you out or not giving you all the hockey you want?
Are you a Bantam player ready for the next level of competition?
Do you play roller hockey and want to switch to ice?
Do you just love hockey and want to know how you can play?
Are you home schooled without a high school team to call your own?
Do you live outside Mesquite in Seagoville, Forney, Crandall, Kaufman, Mabank, or other towns east of Dallas where your high school doesn’t have a team?
If so, the Mesquite Colts want you!
Contact the Colts Team Manager for more information!
Colts Recruiting: Free Skate with the Colts on July 19th
The Mesquite Colts High School Ice Hockey Club (www,mesquitecolts.com) has hired a new head coach and will hold a “Meet the Coach and Skate with the Colts” event on Sunday, July 19, beginning at 4:00 p.m. at the Dr. Pepper Star Center in Duncanville.
Dennis Hall, a former Mesquite resident who has spent the last two years living and working in Fayetteville, North Carolina, has returned to the area and will take over as head coach for the club, which will begin its 2009/10 season with the AT&T Metroplex High School Hockey League this fall. The team’s former coach, Marty Winn, retired after 12 years with the club.
According to Hall, the team has roster spots available for players at all positions, and the team is actively recruiting new players. On July 19, parents and players interested in joining the team, as well as returning players, are invited to the Duncanville rink to hear more about the club, the schedule, the coach’s philosophy, fees and fundraising opportunities. Interested players can then join the returning roster of Colts and alumni for a free hour on the ice beginning at 4:45.
“This is a great way for parents and kids who are interested in stepping up to the high school hockey level to get a feel for how the system works, see firsthand the skill level of our returning players, and determine if joining the club is something they’d like to do,” Hall says.
The Mesquite Colts plan to compete at the Junior Varsity level in the league’s “Gold” division, a step up from the “Silver” division where they have played the last several years. The season will include 22 regular season games and two tournaments, with the first tournament kicking off the season in September.
Boys or girls in grades 8 – 12 who attend any of the Mesquite ISD campus locations or who are home schooled are eligible to play for the team. Students in nearby districts without a hockey team are also eligible to join the club.
Experience playing roller hockey or ice hockey is recommended but not required. Players who attend the free skate will need to be fully outfitted in hockey gear.
“We will begin our season with dry land and on-ice pre-season training later this month. We are willing to assist players who are making the transition from roller hockey to ice hockey. That’s where all our kids started, and it’s an easier transition than many think,” Hall says.
“We have a few returning juniors and seniors this season, but for the most part our team will be a very young team this year. We’re excited about the potential for the future of the club,” Hall says.
Businesses interested in supporting the Mesquite Colts and helping to defray the cost of the season are invited to become sponsors of the club. Support at any level is welcomed. The Mesquite Colts are a 503(b) non-profit organization and donations are tax deductible.
Ice hockey is not a UIL supported sport, but players are required to meet UIL rules with regard to academic performance. Players are responsible for paying club dues, which cover the cost of league fees and ice time. Fundraisers are held throughout the year to assist players and their families with the cost. Donations made to the club by businesses, family and friends help defray the costs for the team.
The club practices on ice once each week and off ice once each week. Games are played throughout the metroplex at Dr. Pepper Star Centers.
For more information, visit http://www.mesquitecolts.com/, or call the Team Manager, Paul Nessman, at 972 222 2676. Email inquiries can be sent to connie@outreachpr.com.
Dennis Hall, a former Mesquite resident who has spent the last two years living and working in Fayetteville, North Carolina, has returned to the area and will take over as head coach for the club, which will begin its 2009/10 season with the AT&T Metroplex High School Hockey League this fall. The team’s former coach, Marty Winn, retired after 12 years with the club.
According to Hall, the team has roster spots available for players at all positions, and the team is actively recruiting new players. On July 19, parents and players interested in joining the team, as well as returning players, are invited to the Duncanville rink to hear more about the club, the schedule, the coach’s philosophy, fees and fundraising opportunities. Interested players can then join the returning roster of Colts and alumni for a free hour on the ice beginning at 4:45.
“This is a great way for parents and kids who are interested in stepping up to the high school hockey level to get a feel for how the system works, see firsthand the skill level of our returning players, and determine if joining the club is something they’d like to do,” Hall says.
The Mesquite Colts plan to compete at the Junior Varsity level in the league’s “Gold” division, a step up from the “Silver” division where they have played the last several years. The season will include 22 regular season games and two tournaments, with the first tournament kicking off the season in September.
Boys or girls in grades 8 – 12 who attend any of the Mesquite ISD campus locations or who are home schooled are eligible to play for the team. Students in nearby districts without a hockey team are also eligible to join the club.
Experience playing roller hockey or ice hockey is recommended but not required. Players who attend the free skate will need to be fully outfitted in hockey gear.
“We will begin our season with dry land and on-ice pre-season training later this month. We are willing to assist players who are making the transition from roller hockey to ice hockey. That’s where all our kids started, and it’s an easier transition than many think,” Hall says.
“We have a few returning juniors and seniors this season, but for the most part our team will be a very young team this year. We’re excited about the potential for the future of the club,” Hall says.
Businesses interested in supporting the Mesquite Colts and helping to defray the cost of the season are invited to become sponsors of the club. Support at any level is welcomed. The Mesquite Colts are a 503(b) non-profit organization and donations are tax deductible.
Ice hockey is not a UIL supported sport, but players are required to meet UIL rules with regard to academic performance. Players are responsible for paying club dues, which cover the cost of league fees and ice time. Fundraisers are held throughout the year to assist players and their families with the cost. Donations made to the club by businesses, family and friends help defray the costs for the team.
The club practices on ice once each week and off ice once each week. Games are played throughout the metroplex at Dr. Pepper Star Centers.
For more information, visit http://www.mesquitecolts.com/, or call the Team Manager, Paul Nessman, at 972 222 2676. Email inquiries can be sent to connie@outreachpr.com.
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